The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences offers academic coursework and clinical practicum leading to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.-SLP), the Master in Education of the Deaf (M.D.E.) degree, and the Doctor of Audiology ( Au.D.). In addition, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is offered in audiology, speech-language pathology, and hearing or speech science. The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) at Vanderbilt University are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800- 498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The graduate program was established in 1951 it is one of the largest graduate programs in the Vanderbilt School of Medicine and one of the largest programs at Vanderbilt University. The audiology program is ranked first in the country and the speech-language-pathology Master of Science program is ranked third in the most recent national rankings of graduate programs. The research, teaching and clinical programs associated with the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences are housed in the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center (VBWC) for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences. The VBWC is a clinical and research facility serving middle Tennessee and neighboring states with over 50,000 patient visits annually and research funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, and various foundation and industry sources. In 2005 the Center moved into a $61 million facility.

The VBWC includes audiology and speech-language pathology clinics, otolaryngology clinics, a rehabilitation clinic emphasizing treatment of traumatic brain injury, a voice center, and programs for early intervention in developmental communication problems. In addition, there are extensive facilities dedicated to research, including well-equipped speech, language, hearing and voice laboratories and a large anechoic chamber. The Department is closely affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located on the Vanderbilt campus.

The departmental strategic plan includes objectives consistent with the pillar goals of the medical center. The leadership team of the department, along with faculty input, develops objectives which support the
departments progress over time and in support of the goals of the Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Through the exceptional capabilities and caring spirit of its people, Vanderbilt will lead in improving the healthcare of individuals and communities regionally, nationally and internationally. We will combine our transformative learning programs and compelling discoveries to provide distinctive personalized care.